COOK SPOOKED
England survive last-day scare, then Proteas skipper Amla quits
Anybody suggesting after ben Stokes had propelled England beyond 600 that South Africa would be pushing for a spectacular victory on the last day of the second Test would have been laughed out of Cape Town.
And anyone who might have said that home captain Hashim Amla would resign mid-series — particularly after scoring a double hundred here and seeing his side finish the stronger of the two — would have been treated with equal hilarity.
yet there were times yesterday, as six wickets tumbled before the clouds rolled in at tea, when England were hanging on grimly for the draw that takes them to Johannesburg still 1-0 up in what is becoming a compelling series.
And then there was Amla taking everyone by surprise by quitting and not explaining properly why he had to go now, with two Tests left and everything for the Proteas to play for.
What drama there was on and off the field — and what relief there was in the England camp when they limped to safety with the help of rain. What everybody did expect was a quiet finish to this second Test but, as England skipper Alastair Cook (below) said: ‘It would have been nice to end the day two or three wickets down but that’s not the English way, is it? A few people came over to watch us so we thought we’d make it exciting!’
It was more disbelief than excitement for England fans because this looked at one stage like becoming South Africa’s greatest Test victory since readmission and one of the most remarkable wins the great game has seen.
When Stokes played one of the best innings of all time to smash 258 of England’s 629 for six, South Africa were in a state of utter disarray. The way the home side turned things around in the second half of this Test should have given them confidence as they head to Johannesburg next week but Amla’s bombshell must surely have a disruptive effect on the team.
It has been clear from the start of his reign in 2014 that Amla — who won four, lost four and drew six of his 14 games as skipper — has not relished captaincy. He said: ‘This decision was made two weeks ago. It just so happens I got 200. I don’t think it’s a massive shock. ‘It was my own choice. My view is that someone else could do a better job. but there is a greater need to work on my own game. I remain committed to the Proteas team. I believe there is a lot that I can offer.’ England will certainly hope South Africa are not inspired
by Ab de Villiers taking over because they wasted a golden opportunity to take an unassailable 2-0 lead here by missing 10 chances and then by letting the hosts dictate terms on a final day eventually cut short by the weather.
‘over the five days, I was pleased but clearly the chances we missed cost us the victory,’ said Cook. ‘you can’t afford to drop catches and the game would have looked a lot different had we taken ours.’
It would have been intriguing to see whether Amla would have resigned had Jonny bairstow not produced another mature little innings alongside Moeen Ali with England in trouble at 116 for six.
Every time a wicket fell, the thought: ‘Surely they can’t lose this, can they?’, was in most minds from the moment Cook had fallen cheaply for the fourth time this series, on this occasion nudging Kasigo Rabada down the leg side.
Alex Hales then fell to a brilliant slip catch from Chris Morris and, when Joe Root was bowled by Morris, England were decidedly twitchy. Then came the soft dismissal of nick Compton and, when Stokes and James Taylor fell in quick succession after lunch, South Africa were favourites.
but bairstow is looking perfectly suited to coming in at seven and, once he had survived a tight stumping appeal on 20, England were just about in the clear.
The question now is who emerges stronger in the third Test after a week’s break: an England team who might rue wasting their chance here or a South African one under new leadership? It will be fascinating to find out.